ILLINOIS – Hundreds of people will travel on Route 66 this weekend for a casual cruise organized by a St. Louis man.
Aaron Koehler has always been “a big Route 66 fan.” As the U.S. celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road this year, he decided to spend Sunday, May 31, 2026, cruising the route from Chain of Rocks Bridge to Springfield. He invited a few friends to join him, who invited their friends, and then it “kind of just exploded.”
“Let’s get a bunch of people together to cruise up Route 66,” he said. “There’s just something that intrigues me about the history.”
The official cruise starts at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, at the Chain of Rocks Bridge on the Illinois side. Koehler invites people to arrive early for group photos and a chance to mingle. The cruise ends at Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex in Springfield.
But Koehler emphasized that the event is informal, and people are encouraged to take whatever route they want at any pace that suits them. Personally, he plans to drive through Carlinville on the way up to Springfield, then through Litchfield on the way home.
He encourages drivers to stop for attractions and restaurants along the way if they’d like. Koehler collaborated with the Belleville Gear Jammers and has organized the cruise to include discounts at over 20 restaurants along the route.
He suggests that drivers can keep cruising on Route 66 after hitting Springfield, or they can return home through another route, like he plans to do. The goal, he said, is to simply make a memory during the 100-year celebration of Route 66. The cruise is meant to be flexible, casual and fun.
“It’s literally just at your own pace. You don’t have to start at the Chain of Rocks Bridge. You can literally start anywhere on the route,” Koehler explained. “The only rule that I have is that you can’t drive the interstate. No interstate.”
Over 1,000 people have expressed interest on the official Facebook event page. Car clubs from the Quad Cities, Missouri motorcyclists, and families across the Midwest have messaged him to say they plan to attend, with some people even booking hotels for Saturday night. Koehler predicts the cruise will range between 50–200 cars, but he admits he’s “not really sure” what to expect.
Either way, Koehler is excited to connect with other Route 66 enthusiasts and to share his love for the road’s history. He can’t wait to engage with the Mother Road in a new way, and he hopes hundreds of folks come out to celebrate Route 66’s 100th anniversary with him.
“This is a laid-back, no-pressure gathering for Route 66 fans to make memories during the big 100-year celebration,” he added on his Facebook page. “Bring your crew, your enthusiasm, and your favorite ride — let’s cruise and celebrate!”
For more information, visit the official Facebook event page.
